Joe Oreste lived a beautiful life with his vivacious spirit filled with hopes and dreams. His life was cut short at age 26 stricken with complications from Sickle cell anemia, an inherited disease in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout the body. (Mayo Clinic)

About 1 out of 375 Americans of african descent is born with sickle cell disease. (Bloom, Ph.D) and there is a large population of children suffering from this disease in Haiti, life expectancy is only half of the average age in the U.S which is approximately 42 for males and 48 for females. (Platt, 1994) 1 out of 13 children in Haiti don’t reach the age of 5 because of this debilitating disease. (University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine)

Joe’s loving parents although grief stricken and broken-hearted, joined together by God’s strength are building a laboratory/clinic in Haiti. This lab/clinic will provide continued research and hopefully a cure for Sickle Cell anemia. Help us by supporting Joe’s parents, Joseph and Marie keep his hopes and dreams alive!

Joseph Emmanuel Oreste was born on July 9th 1991 in Queens, N.Y to his loving parents Marie and Joseph C. Oreste. To his family and friends he was loving,caring, charismatic, passionate and giving. He didn't hesitate to give whatever he had, to those who needed. He had a big heart and loved his friends and family and never let his illness (sickle cell anemia) define him.

1 in 13 children die before their fifth birthday due to sickle cell anemia in Haiti. It is a tragedy when children die needlessly. Sadly, Haiti has a high prevalence of this inherited disease. In some cases, Infants rarely surviving the first 6 months. Ironically, they die of an infectious complication of their disease that could be easily treated.

The Joseph E. Oreste Health Care center and Laboratory in Petit-Goave, Haiti, is currently under construction and will be accepting monetary donations for medical supplies, medication, medical equipment and much more. Our ultimate mission is to diagnose those who may be at risk. Our clinic aims to provide Amniocentesis (also called amnio) which is a test that checks amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac around the baby for birth defects and genetic conditions. One can get this test at 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. We will also offer Hemoglobin electrophoresis which is a blood test that can detect different types of hemoglobin. (MarchofDimes.org 2013)

Growing up Joe's passion grew for theater and joined drama club. He played various roles throughout middle school to high school and was known for his passion as well as his peculiar laugh. At Bay Shore High School, he was the President of the Thespian Society in 2009. He earned awards and was recognized as "Most Dedicated in Cabaret, 2005-2006", "Funniest Singing Character 2006-2007", "Best Actor 2007-2008", "Funniest Character in Clue" and many more. (Proceeds may also go to scholarships in Joseph's name for drama students at Bay Shore High School.)

Joe graduated in 2009 and later attended Suffolk Community College. In 2014 he did lighting for the play "Hair Spray" at Broadhollow Theater Company/ Bayway Arts, and Elmont Theatre. Joe also taught theater in the Bronx Public schools (NYCDOE).

On November 7th, 2017 Joe suffered another sickle crisis. Which he spent 3 weeks at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip. Unfortunately on the 15th he had a Brain aneurysm that burst leading him to be supported on a respiratory machine for a week. November 22nd the day before Thanksgiving holiday at 2:41pm he passed away at the age of 26. This project has been inspired by Joe's tragic/unexpected passing from complications of Sickle Cell.

More Information about Sickle Cell:

Normal hemoglobin/red blood cells are smooth, round, and flexible, like the letter "O," so they can move through the vessels in our bodies easily. Sickle cell hemoglobin cells are stiff and sticky, and form into the shape of a sickle, or the letter "C," when they lose their oxygen. These sickle cells tend to cluster together, and cannot easily move through the blood vessels. The cluster causes a blockage in small arteries or capillaries and stops the movement of healthy, normal oxygen-carrying blood. This blockage is what causes the painful and damaging complications of sickle cell disease. (Stanford Children's Health, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital)

Sickle cells break apart easily and die, leaving you without enough red blood cells. Red blood cells usually live for about 120 days before they need to be replaced. But sickle cells usually die in 10 to 20 days, leaving a shortage of red blood cells (anemia). (MayoClinic)

Sickle cell disease primarily affects those of African descent and Hispanics of Caribbean ancestry, but the trait has also been found in those with Middle Eastern, Indian, Latin American, American Indian, and Mediterranean heritage. It has been estimated that 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. are affected by sickle cell anemia and that approximately 3 million people, and 10 percent of African-Americans, have sickle cell trait. (CDC.gov)

Many complications can derive from this disease including pain/sickle crisis, stroke, organ damage, jaundice, blindness, pulmonary hypertension and sometimes death. Unfortunately there is no cure for most people with sickle cell anemia. But treatments can relieve pain and help prevent problems associated with the disease.

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Please help us spread the word to help those in Haiti. Together we can save lives.